New Russian G20 Sherpa has been appointed

Svetlana Lukash, Deputy Chief of Presidential Experts' Directorate, has been appointed the new Russian G20 Sherpa after having worked for six years as Head of the Russian G8 and G20 Sherpa Office.

Svetlana Lukash joined Presidential Experts Directorate in 2007 and over 7 years has gone through a long career path, from the position of counselor at the Directorate to the deputy chief level, covering a broad range of issues, including global economy, energy, climate and environment policy.

In 2008 Svetlana Lukash assumed the responsibilities of Head of the G8 and G20 Sherpa Office. In her capacity as the Russian Sherpa Assistant and Deputy Sherpa in the G20 Ms. Lukash was in charge of managing substantive preparation of five G8 and seven G20 summits at the Sherpa's Track, promoting Russia's initiatives and representing Russia in the G8 and G20. This experience turned to be indispensable benefit in developing the concept and implementing the program of the Russian G20 Presidency in 2013, in which Ms. Lukash played one of the key roles.

Graduating in 1999 from the Russian State University for Humanities (RGGU), faculty of management, Svetlana Lukash continued post-graduate studies in the Institute for Social and Political Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, and started to work in the Federal Energy Commission of Russia (Federal Tariff Service at present). In 2001 she moved to the consulting business to continue work on reforming Russian natural monopolies. In 2003 Ms. Lukash joined the 'Expert' Analytical Centre, a think tank within the 'Expert' magazine, until in 2005 was called to the Expert Council on Russia's G8 Presidency in 2006 and later in 2007 - to the Presidential Executive Office.

On November 21, 2013 Svetlana Lukash was appointed the Russian G20 Sherpa, official envoy of the President of the Russian Federation on the affairs of the G20 leading economies and relations with the G20 Leaders' representatives, as stated in the Presidential executive order.

"The Russian G20 Presidency ends on November 30, 2013, being passed over to Australia. In 2014 Russia as a member of Troika will take part in coordinating joint efforts of the G20 in implementing the St.Petersburg Summit commitments. The St.Petersburg G20 Leaders' Declaration and Action Plan for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth outline an ambitious program of the G20 work in the short and medium runs. One of the key tasks for the Troika will pertain to ensuring full implementation of the decisions and initiatives of the Russian Presidency," Svetlana Lukash stressed.